To Bert

[Guest guest]

Hello Bert,

I am really sorry you are having this problem and I hope you do feel

reassured by Sue's post. You may remember that I have been

considering a TP at the Liverpool Royal like Sue. At my last

appointment with the pancreatologist/surgeon, he gave me an article

he had just had published in the British Journal of Surgery. It is a

study of 19 consecutive total pancreatectomies (no ICT) carried out

at the Royal since 1996. You were probably told, as I have been,

that there is a 20% morbidity rate, ie. 20% have some complication

or other after a TP. Well,there were complications in about five

cases, two or three of which were biliary strictures (I haven't just

got the article to hand as I'm writing and I can't remember whether

it was two or three. They were sorted out though, so PLEASE, PLEASE

don't lose heart. You have been so courageous and I'm sure you WILL

face another operation, if necessary. See your surgeon as soon as

possible. I am SO,SO sorry but try to remember that you have your

strength and youth going for you.

I had another appointment with my gastroeneterologist this week. He

was telling me that I would have to be very sure I wanted the TP

before going for it because there would certainly be times after the

surgery when I would feel very rough, especially if I was one of

those who had complications and I would want to be in a mental state

to tell myself that I was still better than before I had the

surgery. It would be this thought, he said, that would get me

through any very hard times after a TP. Bert, you could very well be

going through a hard time that you will come through really well.

I wish you every blessing, Bert. You will be in my prayers.

Best wishes,

Fliss